The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1887-01-20
c.

matter OF his preparation for meeting
God. He said that he put the interests
of his soul above all else, but that he
had two reasons for writing it. He
knew that other accounts would be
written, and he preferred that those
who were interested in his history
might know the real facts. Beside he
was anxious, if possible, that with the
profits arising from the sale of the
book he might in some degree COM
pensate those who had been kind to
him in his misfortunes.
Reporter: Did you have anything
to do with the preparation of the
book?
DR.. Hatcher l did. There were
two things for which | had some
responsibility. 1t was at my sug-
gestion that he selected Rev. R. H.
Pitt to edit and shape up his manu-
scri pts. This did because | knew
that he would need an assistant who
would necessarily have to spend many
hours in the cell with him. To me it
seemed extremely important that the
man who was to do this work should
be a devout Christian, and in full
sympathy with the quite different work
which [ was trying to do for the
prisoner. | also consented that if
the manuscript was sent to me would
render such assistance as | could in
the way of literary criticism. That |
should have wished for other reasons
to read these papers while the prisoner
was yet alive will be too evident to
the public to render any explanation
necessary. Possibly I ought to add
that Mr.. Pitt and myself did with un-
sparing faithfulness again and again
urge him not to put one word in that
book that he would not be willing to
meet when he should come to stand in
the clear light of eternity before the
bar of God. The statements of that
book purporting to be his I fully
believe to be his, originally and alb
solutely, and through those statements,
in no small degree, sought to find
access to the deepest secrets Of his
soul. After the story was written,
and when it was about to pass beyond
his reach, | called him to pause and
consider whether he could commit ii
to the public. and as dying man
assume the full responsibility for all its
statements. This he did without one
quiver in his voice or one tremor in
any muscle of his face.
GUILT OR INNOCENCE.
Reporter: Were your interviews witt
the prisoner absolutely private?
DR.. Hatcher: For awhile they were
not, but at my suggestion Judge
Atkins kindly issued an order tina
when | entered the cell the death
watch should retire. After that
always saw him alone, except once O
twice happened to be there eithe
with his aunt or brother, and oC
casionally | took other persons will
me.
Reporter: Did you treat the pris
oner as an innocent or a guilty NAL
when talking with him about tn
welfare of his soul?
DR.. Hatcher: The statement ma,
surprise many, but it is literally tru
! that up to this moment l have neve
-. expressed to any person a decided
:, opinion as to the prisoners innocenc
: or guilt.
Reporter: Then how could you tai
. to him? What did you say? 1t seem
to me that your lack of full convic
ton as to his character must hav
embarrassed you.
DR.. Hatcher: Not in the least
8 After he received his reprieve i
- December l felt it my duty to sa
y several things to him. This | di
Il with almost cruel candor. For on
q e thing, l told him that the last act i
his sad career was drawing to a speed
} and inevitable end; that nothing els
l. could be done for him, and that
would be well-nigh sinful for him t
S befool himself with the hope cf an
If further delay in his execution, an
begged him to dissever himself frol
d every earthly thing and to prepare t
is enter that eternity which was at hanc
n | told him that l did not kno
S whether he was innocent or guilt,
c and had never expressed myself O
: that subject, but that with him it W;
o a simple question. Ee knew: whethe
: he was innocent or not. He Coul
is not have a possible doubt on tn:
d subject. | told him that if he VI;
l. innocent of the alleged murder tn;
e innocence could not save him, b'
e that if he zrae innocent he might We
d rejoice in the fact. Human law,
y said, is imperfect, and mistakes al
e sometimes made in its administratio
5, While | admitted that it was a bitt
is thing to die unjustly, | insisted III
'e there was no merit IN such death, ar
is one might be judicially murdered ar
is yet be condemned at the bar of Ge
Tor lack of faith in Christ, the Son
the living God. | urged him if
m were innocent to prepare for Il
eternal state-not to trust in the sen
l of his innocence in this particular ca
it Ito save him, but to scan we'll t